Happy Birthday:  Jean Larson (9/1) and Judy Brown-Wescott (9/4) .

Next Week: Bike Tour Marching Orders!

Last Meeting:

After reading a book by legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, Rob Bierman knows it is not all about Xs and Os. Wooden’s definition of success is giving 100 percent effort and persevering.  Rob, a youth basketball coach, says this has application in business as well as basketball

Red Cross Volunteer Bill Kleis

Bill Kleis has seen his share of trauma and misery as a Red Cross volunteer. A licensed clinical psychologist, he brings his skills in listening, empowering and caring to those who have lived through major calamities such as: Oklahoma tornadoes, 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, floods and more. It can be gut-wrenching work, but he said he has witnessed remarkable acts of selflessness and resilience. His blessing, he said, is being able to work with caring people.  He and his fellow volunteers enter quietly and work to earn people’s trust. They offer progressive stages of service: crisis intervention, defusing, debriefing and then attending. What often carries victims and volunteers through is the humor. “You notice the humor,” he said. “Thank God for the humor.”

ROTARY NEWS

Guests: Nikolaj Svendsen (Dilley), Miguel  Carvelho (B. Abdella), Sandy Giesmer (Fenton), Phyllis Milbrandt (S. Richardson) and Tim Madigan (Myron Solid).

Scholarship Enhancement: Long-time caller, first-time winner Russ Halverson

Announcements:

— Peg Prowe wants you to sign up for a bike tour task. We need everyone.

—  Jim Blaha thanked Mark Quinnell and State Farm Agency for donating $1,000 to this year’s Kids’ Voting project.

Welcome exchange students

Nikolaj Svendsen — He comes from Koge, Denmark. His counselors are Brad Frago and Michelle Laswell.

Philippa Wenzl — She comes from Uelzen, Germany. Her counselors are Mark and Susan Quinnell.

Miguel Carvalho — He comes to us from Na tal, Brazil. His counselors are Blake and Beth Abdella.

Marion Arpin — She comes from Seynod, France. Her counselors are Pat and Dawn O’Neill.

Coming Up:

Sept. 11 – Jesse James Bike Tour

Sept. 16 -Michelle Muench, MD, Modern Opthamology Surgery ( O’Neill)

Welcome Our Newest Member:

Beth Bergmans

Rotary Cogwheel: Thursday, August 29, 2010

Today’s Program: Bill Kleis, Red Cross psychologist, 9/11 support person (Milbrandt)

Happy Birthday:  Hannah Puczko (8/28)

Next Week: Ingrid Sampo, Classification

Last Meeting:

Ivan Imm’s formative years were spent in that transitional phase when the convenience of central heating and running water had not yet visited every corner of rural Minnesota. He grew up in southwestern Minnesota and Spring Valley. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, taught for a while and then went into Public Administration. Ivan spent most of his career working and living in Madison, Wisc, There, he also served on the city council and planning commission. He married and had two children. He continues to do contract work for colleges and universities in the area.

Ivan was host last week to his sister-in-law, Ann Richards, who recently returned from 27 months tour of duty with the Peace Corps in Romania.  She lived in the northwest corner of the country in a large city, where she taught English. She described Romania as a blend of old world charm, natural beauty and technological sophistication. Life in Romania unfolds with the majestic Carpathian Mountains as a backdrop. It is a land of Gypsies and gymnasts, lush countryside and medieval buildings. Holidays are authentic, noncommercial events. The biggest challenge, Ann said, is to inject a spirit of civic involvement into the culture.

ROTARY NEWS

New Member: Beth Bergmans was formally inducted into the club. Vicky Dilley is her sponsor.

Guests: Nikolaj Svendsen (Frago); Marion Arpin, our inbound exchange student from Seyonod, France, and her host mom, Jody Lundell, (Dilley); Tim Madigan (Rossing); and Robert Serez  (Kurt Larson

Scholarship Enhancement: Candy Taylor

Announcements:

—Jack Hoschouer and Missi Arens have bike tour posters available. If you have a spot in your business, or I suppose your home if you entertain a lot, they would appreciate the exposure.

— Charlie Cogan said plans are developing for a polio plus/ALS fundraiser in conjunction with the St. Olaf-Carleton Cereal Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 16. If you can help or simply like cereal, see Charlie.

— President Weber reported that 75 people attended the cookout August 18 at The Key. It represented the first step in forging a working relationship with The Union of Youth to help with the acquisition of their property on Sixth Street and future programming.

Coming Up:

Sept. 9 – Bike Tour Chalk Talk

Sept. 11 – Jesse James Bike Tour

Sept. 16 -Michelle Muench, MD, Modern Opthamology

Surgery ( O’Neill)

Welcome Our Newest Member:

Beth Bergmans

Happy Birthday:  Craig Ellingboe (8/22)

Next Week: – Bill Kleis, Red Cross psychologist, 9/11 support person (Milbrandt)

Last Meeting:

With all of his talk about plumbing and wiring, I was thinking   Jim Pokorney had traded his work in medical product design for a floor job at Menard’s.

He was trying to explain some of the common maladies that compromise the heart muscle and the variety of interventions that are used, from pace makers to valve replacement. In so doing, he left us with a lot of interesting coronary factoids. For instance, did you know that:

• There are 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the average human body;
• The heart pumps the equivalent of one million barrels of blood in a lifetime;
• $300 billion is spent annually on heart issues.
• There are 400,000 bypass surgeries performed at about $25,000 a pop.

Jim said the key to a happy heart life is: 1) Don’t smoke; 2) Eat Healthy; 3) Maintain a reasonable weight; and 4) Be active. Do all of this and you will live a better and less expensive life.

Guests: Nikolaj Svendsen, Karen and Cam Davidson (Frago), Lisa and Teresa Duchene (Wakely), Tim Madigan (Prowe), Matthew Covey (Covey), Kip Coonley (Coonley).

Scholarship Enhancement: David Brown

Announcements:

The Farmington Rotary Club is hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 25.  There will be music and food. If you are interested, contact Chris Weber.

Northfield Rotary was recognized for meeting most of its goals for the 2009-2010 year. We exceeded our pledges to the Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus. We fulfilled our Hope pledge. Club membership is up, but not to the level to which we aspired.

Charlie Cogan is organizing a fundraiser for Polio Plus and ALS around the St. Olaf-Carleton football game on October 16. If you are interested in helping, see him.

It’s time to declare what role you want to play in this year’s bike tour. The ubiquitous clipboard will be making its way around the table today. Get your preferred spot. Sign up today.

Coming Up:

Sept. 2 – Ingrid Sampo, Classification

Sept. 9 – Bike Tour Chalk Talk

Welcome Our Newest Member:

Beth Bergmans

Rotary Cogwheel: Thursday, August 12, 2010

Today’s Program: “Getting to the Heart of the Matter,” Jim Pokorney

Happy Birthday:  Mike Lane (8/5) and Leo Lawlor (8/15)

Next Week:  Ann Richards, Peace Corps returnee from Romania (Imm)

Last Meeting:

Retired English teacher and former Northfield High School boys’ tennis coach Jim Holden wanted to give something back to the game he came to love, so he wrote the book, Tennis in the Northland:  The History of Boys’ High School Tennis in Minnesota.

Beginning with the first state competition in 1929, the book covers 75 years of Minnesota boys’ high school tennis with profiles of all singles and doubles champions, tales of prominent Minnesota tennis coaches and families, dynasty teams, and a chapter on girls who played on boys’ teams before Title IX. There also are plenty of Northfield connections featured in the book, like the achievements of Scott Nesbit, tennis coach at St. Olaf and doubles champion at Edina East High School, and of our own club member Greg Carlson, and his brother, Jeff, who teamed to win the doubles championship in 1978 for Madison High School.

Jim coached boys’ tennis at Northfield from 1971 through 1990, He compiled an impressive 237-82 record and led the Raiders to five boys’ state tournament appearances. He’s now a member of the Minnesota State High School Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Northfield Athletic Hall of Fame.

Guests: Sarah Wilmot (Steve Wilmot), Scott Nesbit and Beth Bergmans (Vicki Dilley)

Scholarship Enhancement:  Ivan Imm

Announcements:

— President Weber invited members to consider being part of the Rotary Friendship Exchange, which will go to the Philippines January 27-February 7. You must pay your own way. The deadline for sign up is August 30. For details, see Chris.

— President Weber invited members to consider serving on a District committee to help develop a Global Grant Scholarship Program.  Contact Chris for more details.
— Rick Estenson noted the club will host an Open House for The Key at the group’s new location (109 Sixth St. W.) on Wednesday, Aug 18, from 5-6:30 p.m.  Come for the hot dogs but stay for the kids.
— Vicki Dilley reported that our five inbound students start to arrive soon and she encouraged members to spend some time to get to know them.

Coming Up:

Aug. 18 – Key Bar-B-Que  5 p.m.

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke,

Nancy Amerman, Beth Bergmans

Today’s Program: “Love, Love” – Jim Holden, author of “Tennis in Minnesota” (Ophaug)

Happy Birthday:  Lynne Young (7/28)

Next Week:  No noon meeting. Rotary Social at Estensons, 5:15 p.m..

Last Meeting:

Women In Northfield Giving Support (WINGS) is celebrating its 10^th anniversary.

Jacqui Dorsey, a local attorney and WINGS member, said over the decade the group has raised $700,000, parked $300,000 in an endowment and given away $400,000 to local projects that benefit women and children. In 2010 alone, they awarded $54,000 in grants, ranging from $500 to $10,000. Funds can only be used for discreet projects, never operating funds.

WINGS mission is three fold. First it strives to raise awareness about community needs. Second it actively raises money to help meet those needs. And third it nurtures the philanthropic impulse.

Members can join by pledging $1,000 over three years, or they can join as part of a “giving circle,” with the group pledging $1,000 over three years.

WINGS looks for opportunities to collaborate with other community groups, such as the United Way or say Rotary. They are now working with the Southeast Minnesota Initiative on a micro-grant program to help women start new businesses.

Guests: Margit Johnson, Erin Mayberry, Mary Hahn and Mary Loven (Boxrud); Sue Crow-Metz and Julie Nelson (Crow)

Scholarship Enhancement: Jan Stevens

Announcements:

Club members and their families are invited to the Estenson Fieldhouse Thursday, August 5, for a summer social beginning at 5:15 pm.  In addition to food and fellowship, the Copper Street Vintage Band will perform.  The evening social takes the place of the regular meeting.

President Weber invited members to consider being part of the Rotary Friendship Exchange, which will go to the Philippines January 27-February 7. You must pay your own way. The deadline for sign up is August 30. For details, see Chris.

Pat O’Neil reported that Roberto is now home in Spain. In absentia, Roberto presented us with a flag from his home Rotary club.

Jan Stevens gave a plug for the upcoming vintage band festival. I don’t know who keeps track of these things, but she says it is the premier brass band event in the world..

Coming Up:

Aug. 5 – 5:15 pm Rotary Social at the Estenson’s

Aug. 12 – Getting to the Heart of the Matter, Jim Pokorney

Aug. 18 – Key – Barbeque  5 p.m.

Aug. 19 – Ann Richards, Peace Corps returnee from Romania (Ims)

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Today’s Program: Jacqui Dorsey and WINGS 10^th Anniversary (Ness)

Happy Birthday: Mark Mohlke 7/19, Duane Benson 7/21, Linda Willgohs 7/22

Next Week:  Jim Holden, author of “Tennis in Minnesota” (Ophaug)

Last Meeting:

Our club truly appreciates the energy and organizational skills of members like Missi Arens, who presented her classification talk.  Missi is currently the Vice President of the Central Region of the Girl Scouts of the MN and WI River Valleys, a region that serves 40,000 girls, 350 of whom are from the Northfield area.

Missi lives in Farmington with her husband Mark and children Jake and Nicole.  Missi grew up in Bloomington as a tomboy who loved sports, especially soccer.  Missi attended Normandale Community College and later received her BA in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University and also a Certificate in Fund Development from St. Thomas.

Missi has worked as the Education Coordinator at the Minnesota Zoo and is a certified EMT Training Officer.  While working for Allina Medical Transport she met her future husband Mark. Since 1999 Missi has worked for the Girl Scouts and helped implement the recent major administrative reorganization that the Girl Scouts undertook to better fulfill their mission “to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place”

Guests: Elissa Skytte, 2008-09 inbound student from Denmark, Breanna Tetrault, 2008-09 outbound student to Poland, Sam Estenson, 2009-10 outbound student to Japan, Betsy Spethmann (Young), Bob Johnson.

Visiting Rotarians: Kim Holland, former District Governor from the Dallas, TX area, Bill Talen, former Northfield member now in Del Ray Beach, FL.

Scholarship Enhancement: Mark Abbott

Announcements:

Club members and their families are invited to the Estenson Fieldhouse Thursday, August 5, for a summer social beginning at 5:15 pm.  In addition to food and fellowship, the Copper Street Vintage Band will perform.  The evening social takes the place of the regular meeting.

Congratulations to Ed Fox who celebrates 63 years of valuable Rotary membership and service!

Vicky Dilley reported that several attendees at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal were amazed that our small club hosts five inbound exchange students and sends out 15!

With regret the Board has accepted the resignation of Mike Flynn because scheduling conflicts with our meeting time.

Coming Up:

August 5 – No Noon Meeting!

August 5 – 5:15 pm Rotary Social at the Estenson’s

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Happy Birthday: Nancy Amerman and Myron Solid (7/12) and Jan Stevens (7/15)

Next Week: Jacqui Dorsey and WINGS (Ness)

Last Meeting:

The Cannon Valley Elder Collegium (CVEC) is a life-long learner’s dream. This home-grown virtual academy offers 10-12 liberal arts classes each eight-week term during the fall, winter and spring. Classes typically meet for two hours once a week.

Ed Lufkin, the current executive director, and Bill Carlson, his predecessor, provided an overview of the program. Courses are designed for students age 50 and older, but nobody’s checking Ids at the door. The cost of each course is $50, but scholarships are available.

Bill said Northfield is in a unique position for this type of senior education to succeed. Northfield has an unusually large supply of retired teachers, and the community is a haven for intellectually curious retirees.  Ed added that collegium benefits from the breadth and depth of experience their students bring to the program.

Ron Ronning and Keith Anderson started the program 13 years ago with help from the Minnesota Humanities Commission. The program is fully funded by its members. During the last academic year, the collegium set a new record with a student enrollment of 500.

Club Goals: President Weber reviewed our club goals for 2010-11. They range from maintaining our excellent Youth Exchange Program and implementing a Youth Protection Program to providing fellowship opportunities for members and promoting literacy. The complete list is posted on the web site.

Paul Harris Fellows: Dale Ness, Kurt Larson and Bill Carlson  were all recognized as Paul Harris fellows. Bill dedicated his to his wife, Charlotte Carlson.

Guests: Char Carlson (B. Carlson), Bob Johnson (J. Larson) and Laurie Pappas (Prowe)

Scholarship Enhancement: Our guest Bob Johnson

Announcements:

Club members and their families are invited to the Estenson Fieldhouse Thursday, Aug. 5, for a summer social. Besides the food and fellowship, there will be a concert by one of the bands here for the Vintage Band Festival.

Jan Stevens announced that tickets tare now on sale to Vintage Band events, a dance and a  vaudevillian production.

Charlie Cogan said there will be a special day at a Twins game on October 2 dedicated to PolioPlus. Both our district and the Minneapolis district will be participating.

Coming Up

July 29 – Jim Holden – Author of Tennis in Minnesota (Ophaug)

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Happy Birthday: Dayna Clemment (7/5) and Candy Taylor (7/7)

Next Week: Missi Ahrens, Classification (Williams)

Last Meeting:

State Senator Kevin Dahle and State Representative David Bly said the state budget crisis overshadowed all other issues this past legislative session. The two DFLers said legislators went home after agreeing to a temporary fix that still finds them staring at a $6 billion deficit when they return to St. Paul next year.

A Supreme Court ruling that overturned Gov. Pawlenty’s unallottments injected some additional drama into the session. In the end, the Legislature ended up ratifying most of the spending cuts the governor had imposed.

Sen. Dahle said he believes the lack of revenue is the issue, not overspending. Both he and Rep. Bly have advocated for tax increases to soften the service cuts. David referenced the analysis of State Economist Tom Stinson who said a mix of tax increases and spending cuts would create less drag on the state economy than spending cuts alone.

Despite the grim fiscal forecast, both pointed to successes last session. Sen. Dahle was proud of a bill that protected property owners’ rights in cases of eminent domain. Rep. Bly pointed to PACE legislation that supports energy conservation and progress on the Dan Patch Corridor light rail line.

Passing of the Torch: Rick Estenson received a standing ovation for his leadership this past year as he passed the gavel to Chris Weber, our new president. Chris reported on his experience at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal. He said it was an inspiring experience. He heard speakers such as Greg Mortenson (“Three Cups of Tea”), Queen Nora and Dolly Parton and was impressed to be in the company of Rotarians from around the globe.

Guests: Raphaela Cogan (Cogan), Mark Brown (Henke), Michael Gunderson (Fenton) and Kelby Woodard (Estenson).

Scholarship Enhancement: Michael Gunderson

Announcements:

Club members and their families are invited to the Estenson Fieldhouse Thursday, Aug. 5, for a summer social. Besides the food and fellowship, there will be a concert by one of the bands here for the Vintage Band Festival.

This Saturday the city will celebrate the extension of the Riverside BikeTrail on the east side of the Cannon River in Northfield with a ceremony at 9:30 a.m..

Dayna Clemment is looking for a few good women who will participate in Habitat for Humanit’s “Women Build Day” next week.

Emelda Rasmussen circulated a petition urging the city council to recommit to the United Nationals “culture of peace” initiative.

Coming Up

July 22 – Jacqui Dorsey – WINGS’ 10^th Anniversary (Ness)

July 29 – Jim Holden – Author of Tennis in Minnesota (Ophaug)

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Happy Birthday: Pete Stolley (6/29), Scott Richardson (7/1), James Grabau (7/4)

Next Week: Elder Collegium (Bill Carlson and Ed Lufkin)

Last Meeting:

Northfield Middle School Principal Jeff Pesta suggests middle school students are like “wet cement.” They are still malleable, but it is during these three critical years that their identifies and life habits are formed. Thereafter, he posits, change is possible, but it is more difficult, often coming with a cost.

Jeff has spent 14 years in school administration in four different school districts. He says there are no more “at-risk” kids here than in other places. He estimates that about 5 percent are truly in harm’s way. They are resilient, but it is critical that each one has a at least one caring adult who appreciates them and the challenges presented by adolescence.

He is implementing a number of strategies to help middle school kids adjust to their time of life. He is developing a sixth grade transitions program to help kids make the leap from elementary to middle school. He is promoting a pyramid model of student resources to help his staff find help for those who are struggling.

Poverty remains a common theme for those truly at-risk and it is a vexing issue. Jeff says he tries to just deal with each student, one at a time. He reminded us that middle school is a critical time. “Any investment spent on middle school students is worthwhile,” he said.

New Member: Nancy Amerman was inducted into the club. Her daughter, Ruth, was in Lithuania this past year. Nancy has a prospective outbound still in high school. Welcome to the club, Nancy.

Guests: Roberto and Luisa (Amerman), Laurie Pappas (Ophaug), Martha Rogers (Rogers)

Scholarship Enhancement: Judy Brown-Wescott

Announcements:

There will be a passing of the torch today. Chris Weber will succeed Rick Estenson as our fearless leader. Please thank Rick for his outstanding leadership this past year, and thank Chris for assuming his rank.

Luisa and Roberto were bid a fond farewell. They are both now on a Rotary trip to the East Coast. They are scheduled to depart for home shortly after their return.

Nominations for the club’s Good Neighbor Award officially closed yesterday, but if you have a really good nominee, there is a good chance Carl Caskey would allow it to be considered. Remember, the nominee should be someone from outside the club who has demonstrated service above self and whose work has contributed to a stronger, more cohesive community.

Club members and their families are invited to the Estenson Fieldhouse Thursday, Aug. 5, for a summer social. Besides the food and fellowship, there will be a concert by one of the bands here for the Vintage Band Festival.

Coming Up

July 15 – Missi Ahrens – Classification – (Williams)

July 22 – Topic TBA - (Ness)

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Happy Birthday: David Koenig (6/21), Mary Rossing (6/22), Ray Cox (6/26) and Richard Collman (6/26)

Next Week: Legislative Update from Rep. David Bly and State Senator Kevin Dahle

Last Meeting:

Art Monaghan’s boyhood friend, Mike Grimm, keeps the common man entertained with his play-by-play commentary for Gopher basketball on WCCO-radio. He also does the pre-and post game shows and the Tubby Smith show.

He spends about three hours per game researching the stats and creates a cheat sheet, which he passed around for our inspection. He made sure we all remembered that Anthony Jacobs of Northfield is currently playing for the Gophers football team. He also reminded us that a former Northfield resident, Jim Molinari, briefly coached the Gophers, and that the legendary John Wooden almost signed on to coach the Gopher basketball team, but an untimely snowstorm delayed the communication and he ended up at UCLA.

Mike got his start doing the overnight shift at an Iowa radio station. It gave him valuable experience and prepared him to move on to cover the St. Louis Cardinals. He covered the Rams’ trip to the Super Bowl in New Orleans and saw Dennis Rodman singing in a band and throwing beer cans at bar patrons. The first college game Mike ever announced was Luther vs. St. Olaf, here in Northfield. He was a student at Luther at the time.

He loves the new TCF football stadium and notes that the Gophers football team has a very tough schedule this year. He reports that Tubby loves his job here, and we shouldn’t worry about him leaving.

The Pokorney Trifecta

Paul Harris Fellowship: Jim Pokorney honored his wife, Sue, with a Paul Harris Fellowship. He likened the award to the Wizard of Oz presenting a college diploma to the Scarecrow or a badge of honor to the Cowardly Lion. In other words, Sue does not see herself as a particularly “giving” person, but her list of generous acts in the community would fill the rest of this page.

Marston Headley Award: In what may be an unprecedented act of serendipity, Charlie Cogan THEN announced the winner of the Marston Headley “Service Above Self” award. It happened to be Jim Pokorney! Never at a loss for words, Jim gracefully accepted the unexpected honor. He asked the rhetorical question “Why do people get rewarded for doing what they enjoy?” and then…..

Scholarship Enhancement: Who else, but the ubiquitous Jim Pokorney?

Guests: Michael Gunderson (Fenton), Nancy Amerman (Hoschauer), Susan Pokorney (Pokorney), Dawn O’Neill (O’Neill), Candy Nordine (Nordine), Nalongue Cogan (Cogan).

Coming Up:

July 8 – Elder Collegium. (B. Carlson, Lufkin)

July 15 – Missi Ahrens, Classification.  (Williams)

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman